Douche syringe



Jan. 5, 1954 A. HENRY ET AL DOUCHE SYRINGE Filed April 26, 1951 INVENTORS. ALLEN HENRY 8 IRENE KERANEN.

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOUCHE SYRINGE Allen Henry and Irene Keranen, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 26, 1951, Serial No. 223,116 3 Claims. (01. 128-229) This invention relates to hygienic devices and more particularly to an improved douche syringe adapted for home or hospital use.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved device of the above nature which discharges a liquid spray mild but eifective in action, instead of streams which are hard on the user and not fully efifective in action due to the localized eifect of such streams.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the above nature having an improved nozzle or discharge jet adapted to discharge a spray at a lower pressure than it would otherwise be required to break up or atomize a solid stream of water.

A further object of the invention isto provide an improved device of the above nature, adapted to operate at a pressure which would be too high for ordinary douche syringes. g

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved douche syringe of the foregoing nature, having an improved coupling or connecting device whereby it can be attached to a bath tub faucet or a similar water outlet, which coupling holds the device securely connected to the faucet at pressures required to produce the spray, which pressures are sufficient to cause ordinary connections used in conventional devices of this general nature to slip off the faucet.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved douche syringe having metering or pressure-reducing means whereby the generally high pressure of the water system is reduced in the device to a desired lower value.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved douche syringe having means operative to relieve excess pressure which may build up within the device due to the gradual opening of the faucet or other causes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved coupling whereby various devices connectable to water outlets may be connected thereto and can withstand relatively high pressure without separating themselves from such outlets.

It is an added object of the present invention to provide an improved device of the foregoing character, which is simple in construction, safe and dependable in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing an improved douche syringe embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the coupling by which the device is attached to a water outlet.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the tip'of the stem showing spray-producing means.

Fig. 4 shows the rubber bushing for sealing the device at the water faucet, in its unexpanded condition. 7

Fig. 5 is similar in part to Fig. 4 and showing the rubber bushing expanded.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a modified construction of connecting member of the coupling connected to a water outlet.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the-accompanying drawings'since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the -pur:- pose of description and not of limitation.

In the drawing there is shown by way of example an improved douche syringe embodying the present invention. Referring to the drawing, thedevice comprises arubber hose Ill adapted to withstand without bulging or breaking a relatively high internal pressure. The hose I0 has one of its two ends connected in any suitable manner to a coupling H to which is removably secured such as with the aid of a screw thread a hollow stem member I2 having a rounded end in which there is provided a discharge opening l3.

A valve piece l5 slides within the hollow recess of the stem member l2 and is adapted when pushed against the discharge opening [3 to restrict and break up into a spray the otherwise would be solid stream. Thus, while the discharge opening [3 is relatively large with no possibility of clogging, the spray produced is of mild and finely divided character. The valve piece [5 has hollow guiding portion I511. and a spray-effecting head I512.

The other end of the hose I0 is connected in any suitable manner to a coupling 20 by which the device is securely connected to a desired outlet such as a water faucet IS. The coupling 20 comprises a body M, to which is connected with, the aid of a screw thread a connecting member 22. A rubber bushing 23 is arranged on the member 22. Said bushing 23 is adapted to be compressed in the axial direction between the body 2| and the head of the connecting member 22.

and thus be expanded in the radial direction, as can be understood from an examination of Figs. 4 and 5. A metering orifice 24 is provided in the member 22.

A relief valve generally designated by the numeral 25 is provided on the body 2|. Capacity of the relief valve is such that should the discharge opening 13 of the stem member I2 be fully closed, the valve discharges all of the water entering through the metering orifice 24. The relief valve has a ball 28 pressed with the aid of a spring 21 to close the orifice 28. As the pressure of the water within the device rises beyond a predetermined maximum, it operates to move the ball 26 to open the orifice 28 and to permit the water to escape throughthe opening 2 9.

While it is desirable to provide the metering orifice 24 in the member 22, it may be provided in the body 20 but ahead of the relief valve 25.

Operation of our improved device is as follows: the connecting member 22 is tightened by hand or with the aid of a screwdriver to expand the rubber bushing 23 until said bushing enters the opening in the faucet 19 with slight resistance. The coupling is then pushed into the faucet until the bushing 23 goes all the way in. Thereupon the coupling is turned around to expand the rubber bushing 28 and thus to get a tight sealing contact, and secure the coupling in the faucet.

It can be easily appreciated that as the coupling is turned, the member 22 is screwed into the coupling body 2 I, compressing the bushing 23 axially and expanding-it radially, as explained. The coupling is turned until the connection is tight. Such a tight connection prevents the pressure of the water from pushing the coupling out of the faucet. The temperature of the water may be adjusted before or after the device is attached. It is preferable to adjust the faucet in such a manner that the relief valve is just beginning to open. The device is now ready for use. For taking off, the coupling is turned in the opposite direction until the rubber bushing 23 is no longer tight in the faucet, whereupon the device 'is removed.

The device may be used in connection with an ordinary hot water bottle and connected thereto in a similar manner. Such use may be desirable when various medications are used instead of clean water.

A set of members 22 and bushings 23 is provided with the device to take care of faucets having outlets of various sizes.

While the device .is described as havin 'a rubber bushing expandable within an opening, it may be modified to have its rubber bushing or a similar sealing member contracted on the outside of an outlet. One such construction is shown in Fig. 6. In said construction a connecting member 30 is in a form of a bushing connected to the body 3| by means of a thread as shown at 32. A rubber bushing when compressed axially between the body 3! and the shoulder 30a of the connecting member 30 is expanded radially in the inward direction, i. e. against the outer walls of a water outlet 33. With such a construction, the metering orifice 34 :is provided in the body 3 I.

We claim:

1. In a douche syringe, a rubber hose, a hollow stem having an open liquid-receiving end connected .to said hose and a closed end provided with a single discharge opening, means at said opening adapted to restrict and to break up into spray the stream discharged through said opening, a coupling adapted to be pressed into the opening of a water faucet and to be retained therein by friction, said coupling being provided with a metering orifice.

2. In a douche syringe, a rubber hose, a hollow stem having an open liquid-receiving end connected to said hose and a closed end provided with a single discharge opening, means at said opening adapted to restrict and to break up into spray the stream discharged through said opening, a coupling adapted to be pressed into the opening of a water faucet and to be retained therein by friction, said coupling being provided with a metering orifice and a relief valve.

3. In a douche syringe, a rubber hose, a hollow stem having an open liquid-receiving end connected to said hose and a closed end provided with a single discharge opening, means at said opening adapted to restrict and to break up into spray the stream discharged through said opening, a coupling adapted to be pressed into the opening of a water faucet and to be retained therein by friction, and a sealing rubber member and threaded means for expanding said member for adjustment to different faucet openings.

ALLEN HENRY. IRENE KERANEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,208,139 Graham Dec. 12, 1916 1,531,213 Nimmer Mar. 24, 1925 1,680,762 Butler et a1 Aug. 14, 1928 1,833,002 Smith Nov. 24, 1931 2,199,844 Tucker May '7, 1940 2,346,574 Guy Apr. 11, 1944 2,550,565 Hyser Apr. 24, 1951 

